Type-bar key-lever mechanism



L. R..ROBERTS.

TYPE BAR KEY LEVER MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUGJ. 1917.

Patented Sept. 5, 1922.

Patented Sept. 5, 1922.

star-as PATENT OFFICE.

LYMAN R. ROBERTs, or RUTHERFORD, NEW JERsEY, ASSIGNOR To L. R. ROBERTS TYPEWRITER COMPANY, OF

WARE.

STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF DELA- TYJPE-BAR KEY-LEVER MECHANISM.

A plication fi ea August 7, 1917. Serial No. 184,850.

To all wit-077?, it may concern v Be it known that LVLYMAN R. ROBERTS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rutherford, in the county of Bergen and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type-Bar Key-Lever Mechanism, of which the following is a specification. v

This invention relates to typewriters- It is an object of thelinvention to provide a typewriter in which the type bars and their operating mechanisms are so constructed and related that the type bars are readily removable as a unit for repair, substitution or the like, without the necessity for disconnection or manipulation of the parts. I i

It is a further object of the invention to provide a typewriter embodying the features ment oned, and at the same time one that is effective in operation, practicable in arrangement, and economical to manufacture.

lVith these general objects, and others which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, in view, the invention consists in the constructions, arrangements and combi nations which will firstbedescribed in connection withthe accompanying drawing, and

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the key lever mount.

Referring to the drawings, a frame is provided comprising spaced side members 1 and 2 having forward posts 3 and rear posts 4. The embodiment shown includes in combination with a pivotally mounted type bar an operating member having a portion for engaging the lower edge of the type bar in such manner as to operate the same with a shifting contact and to leave the type bar free for direct separation and removal from the operating member. This operating member may, for example, be a portion of the key lever itself. There is also included provision for a plurality of type bars moving in converging planes and a plurality of operating mechanisms having portions moving in parallel planes and portions havmg an operative relation with the type bars of the character just described. 'As here illustrated as an exemplification, a plurality oftype bars 13 arepivotally mounted as hereinafterdescribed to swing in converging planes. Fixed on the front posts 3 is a transverse plate 5 arcuate in form and provided with slots 6 in the upper edge thereof to accommodate a plurality of key levers. These ley levers are of different lengths to give the usual multiple bank forthe operating keys. To pivotally mount the key levers in accordance with their positions in the key bank, secured to the plate are a number of. bearing brackets 8 provided with sockets 9 for the reception of bearing pins 10 carried by the key levers. Fro1n,Fig.'5, it will be seen that these brackets 8 are staggered both vertically and horizontally, so'that the throw of all the key levers will be substantially the same. Each key lever 7 isprovided witha portion for engaging the type bars to actuate the same with a shifting contact. ment, this portion is in the form of a laterallyprojecting pin 11,. This pin is de-,

signed to make abearing contact with the lower edge of the corresponding type bar;

To receive the pins 11, :the type bars are formed withcam like portions'lQ which are offset from the planes of the type bars, in

accordance withthe position of the particular type bar in the bank (see Fig. 3). i

I The invention in its entiretyincludes the provision of a. readily removable mount in whichthe type bars are pivotally mounted,

In the present embodi-g the typebars andtheir operating members f having mutual bearing contact surfaces which are brought into engagement by the positioning of the mount in the frame and which are free to become disengaged when the mount is removed. Although capable of various constructions, as here shown, the removable mount comprises a segmental block 14: having supporting projections 15. As willappear fromFig, 1, the posts 4 constitute supporting uprights rigidly fixed to the frame and having fiat top faces. The

segment 14 is hung between these supporting uprights, the projections 15 resting on the flat top faces of the uprights.

Means is provided for locating or posi I timing e s g n ,t11is locating means being readily disconnectible to permit removal of the segment. As here shown as'an example, the segment is located, and also secured, in place, by screws 16 entering the fiat faces ofthe uprights i.

The lower and convex face of the segmental block is formed with a plurality of radial slots 17 for the reception of the ends of the type bars 13. The type bars are pivotally mounted in these slots by means of an arcuate wire 18 which is seated in a groove in the tace of the segmental block. The block is so located that when it is in position (Fig. 1.) the lower edges 01 the type bars have the operative relation with the operating members already described, and it will be seen that the positioning of the mount brings into engagement the mutual bearing contact surfaces.

The type bars are normally held in theirlowered position by springs 19 each of which is connected to a heel on the type bar and to a bracket 20 carried by the mount 14-. Springs 21. secured to a bracket 22 and to thelrey levers tend to hold the latter in normal raised position.

lVhen a key is struck, the corresponding key lever is depressed, as shown in the dotted lines of Fig.2. During this movement the pin 11 by sliding over the cam portion 12 oi the type bar causes the latter to be raised to printing position. As this movement proceeds, the point of contact between the type bar andthe key lever moves upwardly toward the line through the centers of movement or" the type bar and key lever. During this movement, this point 1? Contact approaches the center of movement of the type bar and at the instant of n'intingthe pin 11 occupies an angular recess in the type 7 bar, as appears in Fig. 2.

Should it be desired to remove the type bars for repair, substitution, or the like. it is only necessary to remove segment l i, the type bars being free for direct separation and removaltrom the operating mechanisms (which, in this instance, are the key levers). In other words, no disconnection or manipulation of any of the parts is necessary.

Similarly, when the segmental bloclt 1 L replaced, the positioning thereof brings the type bars and their operating mechanisms into operative relat on and again no manipulation or connecting up of parts is necessary.

lVith the construction described, difi'erent sets of type are readily available. At the same time, the removable segment, carrying the type hers, is so mounted that proper alignment is retained.

I claim:

1. In a typewriter, and in combination a relatively stationary frame having supporting uprights, a readily removable type bar segment in which the type bars are pivotally mounted, hung between the supporting uprights and having supporting projections which cooperate with the supporting uprights, and operating members for the type bars separate therefrom and normally engaging the same from below, whereby the type bars are freely separabletrom their respective operating members when the segment is removed.

2. In a typewriter, and in combination a relatively stationary frame having supporting uprights, a readily removable typebar segmentin which the type bars are pivotally mounted to swing in converging planes, operating mechanisms for the type bars mounted to have portions thereof move in parailel planes, said operating mechanisms normally engaging the type bars from below. wbcreby the "type bars are readily separable from their operating mechanisms upon removal oi? the segment.

in a typewriter, and in combination a relatively stationary frame having supportn o; 111 hts, a readily removable type bar segment in which the type bars are pivotally mounted, hung between said supporting uprights and having supporting projections which cooperate'with the supporting uprights, readily disconnectible means for locating the segment in a given position, op erating members for-the type bars, said type bars and operatingmembers having mutually engaging contact surfaces freely separable upon removal of the segment and brought into operable relation upon locating the segment in position.

LYMAN R. ROBERTS. 

